By Joni BoydTuesday 19 Mar 2024Hope BreakfastMusicReading Time: 3 minutes
Marcia Hines joined Hope Brekky’s Brendan and Danniebelle on Tuesday morning to chat about her new album ‘The Gospel According to Marcia’, her return to our screens for Australian Idol – and her upcoming performance in Grease.
Key points
- Marcia was Australian Idol’s favourite judge for the original show, seven years in a row.
- ‘The Gospel According to Marcia’ is a tribute to Marcia’s memories of being in a church choir with her Godmother.
- “I’m a great believer when people sing praise, they have a totally different voice to when they sing other things,” Marcia said.
The 70-year-old beloved musician is certainly not slowing down. “Like that song says, I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” she told Hope 103.2.
Marcia was live on Idol last night where she is loving being back on the judging panel. Danniebelle described it as being an “All is right in the world again” moment.
With 22 albums and 2.6 million copies sold, plus numerous chart-topping singles, it’s no surprise that Marcia was Australian Idol’s favourite judge for the original show, seven years in a row. Marcia returned to the judging panel this year for the Seven Network’s new version.
Having just finished a run of concerts in Melbourne, Marcia is back in Sydney playing the role of Teen Angel in Grease.
Marcia was Australian Idol’s favourite judge for the original show, seven years in a row.
Her latest offering, ‘The Gospel According to Marcia’ is a celebration of her musical roots and her experiences with church and gospel music, attending a Baptist church. As the artist’s 15th studio album, the project features a rhythm section and 12-member choir.
Featuring songs like Kirk Franklin’s Take Me To The King, Edwin R. Hawkins’ Oh, Happy Day and of course, John Newton’s Amazing Grace, the album is a tribute to Marcia’s memories of being in a church choir with her Godmother [Flo].
“Most black children in America are brought up in church and that was the basis of my musical career,” Marcia said. “So, I would dutifully go to church with my mother and then hightail it down the road to my Godmother’s church.
“I’d say to my mum, ‘You wanna come?’ and she’d say, ‘Oh no, those people make far too much noise Marcia, you go!'”
‘The Gospel According to Marcia’ is a tribute to Marcia’s memories of being in a church choir with her Godmother.
Flo was the head of the choir, and memories of her singing gospel classics have inspired Marcia throughout the album’s recording.
“Abide With Me was really a big one for me because I remember Flo singing that in church,” Marcia said.
“Every time I sing that live, I think, ‘Gees Marsh, don’t blow it, because she’s watching.
“‘You’ve gotta sing it well.”
“I’m a great believer when people sing praise, they have a totally different voice to when they sing other things,” Marcia said.
Marcia believes in the power of praise.
“I’m a great believer when people sing praise, they have a totally different voice to when they sing other things,” she said.
“I think your voice actually escalates to an amazing place.”
Marcia is back in her element celebrating a 50-year singing career with her ‘Still Shining’ tour taking her around Australia. Commencing in Mandurah in Western Australia on 8 August 2024, Marcia will perform in South Australia, Queensland, NSW, ACT and finish in Geelong in Victoria.
Visit marciahines.com for more.
Listen to the full interview with Marcia Hines in the player above.
Feature image: Album art, sourced.